Fall and Vitamin D

October might be my favorite month of the year.  I love Fall, I love Halloween, it's my husband's birthday and our anniversary, and I was raised on a pumpkin farm.  But with this wonderful season comes a lot of unwanted changes: shorter days, earlier sunsets, and eventually colder temps.  Fall and Winter are notorious for causing colds, but what's the reasoning for that?Since it doesn't stay light until 9pm, we're getting less exposure to the benefits of the UVB rays.  Less UVB exposure means less vitamin D exposure, which can lead to a myriad of health issues ranging from colds to osteoporosis.  Supplementing with vitamin D can reduce the incidence of colds dramatically.  Get your levels checked.  They should be between 40-70ng/mL(1).  Check out the figure below.This graph speaks volumes!  Keeping up with vitamin D levels - even as low as 800IU/day, can be extremely beneficial.Take advantage of the slightly cooler temperatures and enjoy some outdoor exercise.  Hikes, walks, or runs are great when the scenery is multicolored!  The exposure to the sun - however minimal - can help with your vitamin D levels naturally, and the exercise is great for overall health.Happy Fall!1. Cannell, J. et al. "Use of Vitamin D in Clinical Practice." Alternative Medicine Review Volume 13, Number 1 2008.